The room was packed with people who were ready to have their voice heard at this public hearing. Little did they know, they would not get a chance to speak at the Pender County Commission meeting based on what happened next. Attorney Ray Blackburn dropped a bombshell on everyone when he announced the Topsail Humane Society would be withdrawing its application for a special use permit to build a dog kennel outside hampstead. Blackburn thanked the commissioners for their time, as brief as it was.
Attorney Bruce Robinson: "We consider it the only common sense solution to a pretty serious problem, it would have caused a lot of homes to be devalued and that's not necessary and NC does not have any dog kennels in a residential area.
Kristy Wilson: We're hoping we don't have to use these signs again, but we'll pull them out again if we need to."
Sue LoRusso: "I'm happy I can go home and not have to worry about this for a couple of weeks. It sounds like they're going to look for another location which is what we've been asking them to do from the beginning."
THE DECISION TO WITHDRAW THE REQUEST WAS MADE BY THE HUMANE SOCIETY BOARD.
Attorney Ray Blackburn: "we certainly don't want to do anything that will create divisioness in the community, but you can see it's a rather hot button issue, but it's not over...
any ideas on what direction you go now? well as I said, we're exploring other options.
WWAY's John Rendleman: "so it's too early to tell what direction the Topsail Humane Society will go from here, but one thing's for sure, the new shelter in Pender County will not be constructed here on highway 210 just two miles west of Hampstead.. John Rendleman WWAY News Channel 3.

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